The 3rd Degree From Budz' Mcgee

Hello all you progressives, revolutionaries, libs, anarchist, rebels, punks and all around members of the left! Hello also to all you conservatives, religious voters, pro-lifers, and all around right-wingers! Yes, that's right, hello to you all. I decided to make the first edition of the Third Degree with Budz McGee highlight what I intend to do with this section of rants, editorials, and otherwise socially inspired writings.

My goal is not to spout liberal, or conservative propaganda. I seek not to back solely democratic politics, nor solely republican politics. I will not question republicans and praise democrats, nor will I do the reverse. I will question authority, those who impose it upon us, those who wish it upon us, and those who benefit from it, in all its forms. While my editorials, my philosophies, as well as my nuts will tend to lean towards a leftist way of thinking, and I will not ignore a possibility to tear apart conservative politics when given the chance; it will not be that and nothing else. You will find that I make my decisions on what is best not based on who proposes them, but rather on the ideas set forth. Some of you will be pleasantly surprised by my rants, some of you may feel betrayed by them, but there is no black or white in politics and to think otherwise is dangerous and ignorant. Then again, most ignorance is dangerous.

I promise to do my best to bring you these opinions and views in as entertaining of a way as I can. (Hence the nut comment a few lines back) Some topics though just aren't funny, but that doesn't mean they aren't important. As Bill Maher so elegantly put, ""Freedom isn't free. It shouldn't be a bragging point that, "Oh, I don't get involved in politics," as if that makes you somehow cleaner. No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in government would have a much harder time of it if so many people didn't insist on their right to remain ignorant and blindly agreeable." And it is completely true. We as a people can never know to much about how our government works and what it is doing.

Which brings me to my intentions. I intend to entertain, to raise questions, but mostly to inform. I am of the belief that sometimes life isn't about having the right answer but instead about asking the right questions. And I'm full of them. Never for a moment think I don't love this country, but as The Descendents said in their catchy song by the name of Merican', "You've got to know the truth before you say that you've got pride." I, lastly, intend to prove that questioning the government is not unpatriotic, if nothing else it is a patriots duty to uphold the law, not the government that enforces it, and sometimes this means disagreeing with our leaders.

There are many topics to discuss, and new ones every day. Never hesitate to e-mail and argue a point with me, I will gladly admit when I'm wrong, most of the time I wish I am. Also do not hesitate to ask me opinions on certain topics, after all, as I just said; it's all about the questions.

Live, love, and prosper.
Thank you,
- Budz